Telefonmuseum Telephonica

About the museum

The Telefonmuseum Telephonica opened in 1995 in the attic of the Greuterhof in Islikon. The Verein Telefonmuseum Telephonica (Telephone Museum Telephonica Association) runs it on its own responsibility on behalf of the Stiftung Telephonica; it maintains the equipment, puts devices back into operation and leads groups, school classes and apprentices through the exhibition. According to the house, more than 44,000 people have visited since it opened.

The Greuterhof was once one of Switzerland’s first factories with international reach. From 1777 Bernhard Greuter set up a fabric dyeing and printing works here, and in 1802 he founded the country’s first company-based social insurance. The monastery-like complex has been preserved as a cultural monument of national significance, with contributions from the federal government, the cantons and private donors, and today belongs to the Stiftung Greuterhof Islikon. The museum rooms also display documents about the factory and its pioneers, as well as about Ludwig Forrer and Alfred Huggenberger.

The exhibition is arranged in 34 thematic “islands”: from telegraphy and telephony in Switzerland, switchboards, teleprinters and fax, to fiber-optic technology and mobile phones, plus emergency calls, the military, mining and diver telephones, pay-phone stations and answering machines. The collection, with nearly 40 running meters of display cases and tables, was modernized in 2015 and arranged by country. From April to October 2020 the building was renovated; the central section of the museum was newly built, and a lift and a new staircase now make it accessible to wheelchair users.

Highlights

• 34 thematic museum islands, from telegraphy to fiber-optic technology
• Plug in connections yourself at the manual switchboard and let the mechanical lift-and-rotary selector clatter
• Many devices are put into operation and can be operated during guided tours
• Collection with rare exhibits, arranged by country
• In the Greuterhof, a cultural monument of the early textile industry
• Guided tours year-round by appointment, including evenings

Permanent exhibitions

• 34 thematische Museumsinseln – Chronologically arranged thematic islands on the history of telecommunications, from telegraphy through switchboards, teleprinters and fax to fiber-optic technology and mobile phones.
• Die Sammlung – Nearly 40 running meters of display cases and tables with further rare exhibits, modernized in 2015 and sorted by country.

Founded

1995

Operated by

Verein Telefonmuseum Telephonica (VTT)

Director

Roger Pfister

Admission & discounts

Admission (CHF 8 for adults aged 16 and over, CHF 4 for children) applies to the Sunday visit without a guided tour; members enter free. Guided tours are discounted for school classes, apprentice groups and students. The Swiss Museum Pass is not accepted. Cancelling a guided tour up to 7 days in advance is free; after that, 50% of the agreed cost is charged.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum in the attic is reachable by lift. In two places in the museum there is one low step each.

Kids & families

• Hands-on stations

On guided tours, many devices can be switched on and operated.

Getting there & parking

Navigation address: Islikon, Hauptstrasse 15. Because the village through-road is being renovated, a one-way system applies in Islikon until the end of 2026 (direction Frauenfeld–Winterthur); the opposite direction is diverted over a wide area via Rickenbach and Ellikon.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant

In the same building complex is the Seminarhotel with Restaurant Greuterhof (independently operated). Guided tours can be combined with an aperitif, lunch or dinner in the house.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit